Itchy Rash. Is This Related To Celiac Disease?

[Kelly J.]

Hello! I got a positive blood test for celiac about a month or so ago. I've been told to continue to eat gluten until my endoscopy on 5/26, so I've got about six more days to go. Around May 3rd I got this really itchy rash on my neck and partially on my face. My doctor put me on prednisone and it went away. Well it's back again on my face near my eye, cheek and ear. Both times I had this rash I've had a tingling sensation in my lips, wierd. It starts out as a small bumpy red patch, then after a day or so spreads into raised, kinda puffy, bumps the color of my skin (except on my ear where it's really red) and EXTREMELY itchy. I've looked up Dermatitis Herpetiformis,, and saw pictures. I don't have blistering or extreme red color that I saw in those pictures of Dermatitis herpetiformis looks like. I guess what my question is, could this still be related to celiac? Does dermatitis herpetiformis always look like it does in the pictures on the internet or does it vary? I'm really puzzled at what caused this, as I've not done anything new to cause an allergic reaction to anything. Any insight would be greatly appreciated!

[SueC]

Yeah it can be celiac related. I have had itchy skin for years. I have several different types of rashes, one of which is dh, and the others I just assume go along with it. Sometimes I will itch and there is no rash at all!! Most of it went away after going gluten-free but my ears still really itch. I get flare ups now and again but it is much better than it was.

You might try taking benedryl at bedtime if itching is keeping you up.

Hang in there. It will probably get better but it will take awhile

[Ursa Major]

Hi Kelly. Yes, I am sure it's celiac disease related. Hang in there, you've almost made it to your test date (my birthday )! After the biopsy is taken, go gluten free immediately, as you should be gluten-free no matter what the endoscopy says. I am sure the rash will start getting better as soon as you stop eating gluten.

I used to get rashes (including what looked like acne on my face), terrible itching all over and obviously DH as well, now those rashes are usually gone, unless I get glutened.

[Kelly J.]

Yeah it can be celiac related. I have had itchy skin for years. I have several different types of rashes, one of which is dh, and the others I just assume go along with it. Sometimes I will itch and there is no rash at all!! Most of it went away after going gluten-free but my ears still really itch. I get flare ups now and again but it is much better than it was.

You might try taking benedryl at bedtime if itching is keeping you up.

Hang in there. It will probably get better but it will take awhile

Thank you for your input Sue and Ursula! I can't wait to start eating gluten free! I hope this rash goes away soon!